Sick of Rats and Trash? Join the 'Don't Trash Our Dundalk' Team!

Let’s Make Trash History

History, as in past tense, and as in a new movement never done before!

‘Don’t Trash Our Dundalk’ is an ambitious joint project with Dundalk community associations and the DRC. Together, we'll reduce trash, food sources and habitat for rats, the amount of litter entering our storm drains, and beautify Dundalk, all at the same time.

We’re grateful to the Baltimore Community Foundation for partial funding.  For more, we also have an amazing Ray Lewis opportunity – keep reading!

Community-lead means success, block by block. Six partners, Boston Court Home Owners Association, Dun-Logan Community Association, Gray Manor & Northshire Community Association, Old Dundalk Neighborhood Association, St. Helena Neighborhood Association and Turner Station Conservation Team, will work collectively with us. Together, we’ll empower over 1000 neighbors with better knowledge and practices for a real difference they'll see every day. This year’s initiative is a pilot project, and we hope to widen the scope in the future.

Volunteer-powered also means success, and we welcome intergenerational volunteers to help ‘Don’t Trash Our Dundalk’ in several capacities. What a worthwhile way to spend your time, as an individual, with friends, a school group or a family team! Attend the training session on Sat., Mar. 2, 10 am - noon at the DRC office, 11 Center Place, to learn techniques to comfortably and effectively talk to community members about trash and rat issues. Contact Leah to help at 410.282.0261 or leah@dundalkusa.org.

Outreach – with 4 door-to-door outreach days (Mar. 9, 16, 20 23), we’ll visit over 1000 homes in six neighborhoods. Conversations and literature will center on proper trash disposal, rat eradication methods, recycling, and watershed improvement.

Distribution – we’ll deliver over 200 trash cans to those who need them.

Cleanups – five are in April, in partnership with community associations. St. Helena’s is scheduled for April 6, beginning at 8 am at the St. Helena Community Center - you’ll get breakfast, lunch, a free t-shirt, plus lots of satisfaction from your good work.

Partnership – Baltimore County Code Enforcement is on board to institute neighborhood-wide code enforcement sweeps to identify serious issues.

Decal Design Competition – our students will be invited to create ‘Don’t Trash Our Dundalk’ decals. Dundalk Elementary and Middle Schools, Eastwood Center Elementary, Holabird Middle School and Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts are all in! The winner will be displayed on the trash cans we're providing in the community, and all designs will be displayed at our April 13 resource fair.

 ‘Don’t Trash Our Dundalk’ Resource Fair April 13, 10 am to 1 pm at Sollers Point Multi-Purpose Center, will feature opportunities for you to ask code enforcement questions, discuss proper trash disposal and recycling, and learn about cleaning our watershed. Food, trash art from local schools, live music from the Acoustic Guitar and Music Group are already planned. Volunteers are needed – artists, performers, food and raffle prizes are all welcome! Want to help or perform?  Contact Brittany at brittany@dundalkusa.org.

So, what’s the Ray Lewis connection? We’re thrilled to have an autographed RL football (and the photo to document his signing) as a raffle prize to raise additional funds for this whole initiative. We’ll pick the winning ticket at our resource fair (above). Many thanks to Poplar Jewelry and Pawn Shop for this donation!

Join in this amazing opportunity: buy your tickets ($2 each or 3 for $5) at the DRC office, 11 Center Place, Mon.-Fri. 9-5, or send in your check and a self-addressed stamped envelope (please include your phone #) and we'll send your tickets. Call 410.282.0261 for additional ticket sale locations or more information.

Make history with us! Check www.dundalkusa.org/pub/DTOD for complete information, or call Leah at 410-282-0261.